ATV driver crashes into passing truck

Shortly before 6:00 p.m. this evening, Historic City News was notified by Kevin Kelshaw that Traffic Homicide Investigators with the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a serious two-vehicle crash that occurred in the area of Woodlawn Road and Begonia Street.

According to Kelshaw, a Toyota pickup truck, driven by 66-year-old Joseph Burch of St Augustine, was traveling on Woodlawn Road when a man driving a Honda ATV pulled into his path — crashing into his truck.

The driver of the ATV, identified as 33-year-old Nicholas Batenic, also of St Augustine, was not wearing a helmet according to the incident report. Batenic was stabilized at the scene and transported to Flagler Hospital by Fire-Rescue with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.

Alcohol is considered a factor in the crash, Kelshaw told reporters. ATV’s are not road legal and charges are pending further investigation.